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(ModeL) G. W. MILLER.

DRIVE CHAIN.

No. 355,549 Patented Jan. .4, 1887;

UNITED STATES CHARLES W. MILLER, COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ON E-HALF TO THE PATENT OFFICE.

LEOHNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

DRlVE-CHAIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 8 5. 4 dated n y 1887- Application filed March 17, 1884. Serial No.1241988. (Model.) 7

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. MILLER,- a citizen of the United States,-residing at Golumbus, in the countyof Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements'in Drive-Chains, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is aplan view of myimproved chain in its simplest form. Fig. 2 is an edge-view of Fig. 1, with the links straightened out in ordinary working position. Fig. 3 is an edge viewof the links in proper position for coupling or uncoupling. Fig. 4 shows a modified form of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, A is a longitudinal bar expanded laterally at one end and provided with a closed eye or loop, B, and also with an open hook, 0, there being an open throat or unobstructed space, E, between these latter-mentioned parts. The expanded end of this bar A may, when preferred, be cut away in a circular line, as at I), for a purpose which will be explained.

D is a cross-bar or IT-piece at the opposite end of the bar A, and is, by preference; round in cross-section, so as to fit accurately a circular seat or eye formed for its reception in thepart B. The bar A may also be connected with the cross-bar or T-piece D by means of webs ac, and theiunion between the bars may also be further strengthened by means of webs d d, which are arranged in planes at right angles to the planes of webs a a.

Ordinarily I prefer to make the cross-barA of about the same size and shape in cross-seetion as is the cross-bar or T-piece D in a corresponding section; but the relative forms or shapes of these parts may be somewhat varied from those herein indicated, as may be found desirable, in order to secure the proper relative strength without undue waste of material. It is the portion 0 of the part 0 which prevents the lateral displacement of an adjacent end bar when the links are in working position, it being immaterial, under 'all ordinary circumstances, as to whether the other end of the endvba-r' be narrower than the throat in the hook O or not, although, to prevent looseness of parts,it is preferable that the last said end of the end bar be not much narrower than the said throat; but the locking of the links in position in no wise depends (as in most chains heretofore known) upon the end bar having at both ends (when inworking position) a cross dimension greater than that of the throat in thehook'.

As is shown in the drawings,the closed eye or loop B and hook G are in different relative positions upon the adjacent linksthat is to say, at the extremeleft-hand end of Fig. 1 the closed eye is at the lower end, the hook being at the upper end, while at the corresponding end of the other link the position of these parts is reversed.

The throat F of the hook is equal in width to the thickness of the bar A, including the ribs or re-enforcements d d on the linew 00,.

Fig. 2, and from an examination of the drawings it will be readily understood that the links can be coupled to each other and uncoupled from each other by sliding the crossbar or T-bar D longitudinally through the hook and in or out of the closed eye, as the case may be, and it will also be understood that while one end ofthe T-bar remains in the closed eye it will be impossible to disconing arranged in parallel lines or rows, between which lines or rows the bars A may lie when the chain is traversing the wheel.

In Fig. 4 I have shown the invention as applied to a chain which has two side bars, H g, each connected at its heel end to atraniverse bar, G, the ends of which project slightly beyond the side bars. In this link one of the side bars terminates in two branching hooks, h h, the other side bar being also forked or branched and having one hook, h, anda closed eye, h, to receive one end of the transverse bar G. The throats of the hooks in this construction are preferably of a width equal to the diameter of the transverse bar G in crosssection, so that the junction or union of the side bars and the cross-bars may be made of the desired strength; but, when thought desirable, the throat may be made wider and the union between the side bars and the end bar may be further strengthenedby the use of ribs or re-enforcements substantially like those shown at d d in the other figures.

I do not, of course, wish to be limited to making one open space or throat E, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, of the width therein shown, because under some circumstances the webs a might be omitted, in which case the throat E might be of a width equal to the diameter of the bar A in crosssectiou, so that when the links are straightened out, or in ordinary working position, the bar A shall be in close proximity to the adjoining inner faces of the hook and the closed eye.

By arranging the closed eye upon opposite sides of the alternate links I am enabled to construct a chain which is less liable to undue lateral or swaying movement than it would be if the closed eyes were upon the same sides of all the links.

I am aware that. links resembling mine in general structure have been made; but in the earlier links the construction of parts was either such as to necessitate reducing the size of the bar A at the point of. its junction with the T-bar D, whereby the chain was materially weaker, that being the point which is subjected to the greatest strain, or, secondly, such as to require the use of a cross-bar near the end bar, for the purpose of preventing the escape of the end bar from the hooks of an adjacent link. With links of the sort last alluded to it has been necessary to employ a bar at each side of the link, each carrying at one end a hook, and at the rear end joining with the said crossbar, for it would be impracticable to depend upon a single central bar, as the cross-bar occupies so much of the space between the ends of the links asto prevent a ready engagement with the sprocket-piece. l

I am also aware of the previous use of a chain-link having an end bar provided with a locking-cam, a hook or coupler at the other end provided with a groove corresponding to link and united to their end bar at points outside of the said hook or coupler. My construction differs materially from such, in that no grooves or sockets are necessary within the hooks'aud no corresponding cams upon the end bars; and, moreover, when making a chain of the character shown in Fig. 1, I dispense with much of the metal necessary to form a link of the character last alluded to, as in my case the central shank extends from end to end and does not surround or pass outside of the ends of the hook or coupler. In short, when compared with previously-known chains of this general class, mine is found to contain proportionately less metal, to obviate the necessity of any special construction of the end bars or side bars to effect a firm coupling, and at the same timeallow ample room between the adjacent couplers for the entrance and engagement of the sprocket-teeth.

What I claim is 1. The herein-described link having the bar A, provided at one end with the cross-bar D, and at its opposite end with the closed eye B and open hook G, to receive the crossbar of an adjacent link, substantially as described.

2. The herein-described link having the bar A, provided at one end with the cross-bar D and the re-enforcements d d, and at its opposite end with the closed eye B and open hook O, to receive the cross-bar of an adjacent link, substantially as described.

3. A chain having links, each of which has the bar A, provided with the transversebar D at one end and with the closed eye and the open book at its opposite end, the relative positions of the closed eye and open hook being reversed in adjacent links, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses. I

CHARLES W. MILLER.

Witnesses:

WALTER A. MAHON'Y, B. VARIAN. 

